OBJECTIVES: To calculate the budget impact and direct costs of the introduction of alemtuzumab in the health benefits plan of Healthcare Social Security (ESSALUD) in Peru for the treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

METHODS: A budget impact simulation was conducted from the ESSALUD perspective with a time horizon of 5 years. The analysis compared the difference between two financing scenarios: a) current scenario in which target population is treated with interferon-β-1a and interferon-β-1b; b) a new scenario in which patients are progressively assigned to alemtuzumab. Data to calculate eligible population was obtained from literature (including a previous Peruvian published study) and public databases. Cost included were related with medications, obtained from public databases. Also, direct medical costs related with relapses were included, adjusted by the annual relapse rates for both alternatives. Clinical data was obtained from literature. Market share to design the new scenario was based on market assumptions.

RESULTS: A target population of 92 patients was calculated. Introduction of alemtuzumab to ESSALUD represents a financial effort of USD 200,989 for year 1 of simulation, and USD 82,711 for year 2. From year 3, inclusion of alemtuzumab reduces in USD 237,620 the budgetary impact of treat eligible patients, in year 4 the reduction is USD 610,320 and for year 5, USD 858,315. Potential costs included due to relapses were calculated in USD 71,890 for alemtuzumab, USD 160,553 for interferon-β-1a and USD 167,742 for interferon-β-1b.

CONCLUSIONS: Even when introduction of alemtuzumab to the health benefits plan of ESSALUD in Peru represents potential budgetary efforts during the first two years, the potential savings after those two years of treatment compensate the positive impact. Reduction in relapses and costs related to them also explain the potential savings along the years.